Though it can’t be that bad, Philadelphia has a reputation for being a difficult city to play in.
If so, why did Aaron Nola accept a lower salary to remain a member of the Philadelphia Phillies?
After the 2002 season, Jim Thome, the Hall of Famer of MLB, could have played anywhere. At that time, he was a 32-year-old free agent fresh off an incredible 52-homer season in which he finished seventh in the American League in terms of MVP, leading the league in slugging percentage (.677) and OPS (1.122).
It goes without saying that that winter, he was in high demand.
He discussed his decision to sign with the Phillies in an interview with MLB Network on Wednesday.
Thome gave several reasons for his decision, and in December of that year he inked a six-year, $85 million contract with Philadelphia. He brought up Citizens Bank Park, which would open in 2004 but was still under construction at the time. In addition, he spoke about the team’s “vision” and, above all, its members.
Thome’s move to Philadelphia was a significant adjustment at the time.
At that point, having been selected by the Cleveland Guardians in the 1989 draft, he had played his whole twelve-year career with the team. In addition to becoming one of baseball’s best sluggers and being a vital component of two AL pennant winners there in the 1990s, he made three consecutive All-Star teams from 1997 to 1999.
For Thome, joining the National League was a significant step, but it turned out to be beneficial for both parties. With 47 home runs in 2003, he quickly took the majors by storm. The following year, he swatted 42 home runs, earning a spot on the first and only NL All-Star team.
Following Thome’s injury-plagued 2005 season, the Phillies dealt him to the Chicago White Sox in order to give Ryan Howard first base, receiving Gio Gonzalez and Aaron Rowand in exchange.
The slugger even signed as a free agent after the 2011 season and returned to Philadelphia during his final season in 2012.
Thome’s devotion to the Phillies is still apparent over twenty years after he first joined the team.